Using miles for Barbados trip

Want to fly to Barbados for a month next July/August and it would seem sensible to use up my miles. Can see tickets available in May but nothing in July. As it is school holidays do you think I am unlikely to find anything? Or is it just too early? How long should I leave it? By January I'll have lots more miles but probably no availability.... Any advice welcome.

Summer is always busy, and BGI like MCO is a popular destination for families. You may struggle with rewards seats if you are fixed on the months you have indicated. Reward seats can become available at any time (from the usual 330 days out) so it's worth checking periodically.
DL

Might be a little too early for reward tickets to be released or those that were have alreasy snaffled. Not to say more won't be released.

Might also be a case of needing to be a little flexible with your dates

Will be a case of checking regularly and booking as soon as you see them - and that means there and then and not leaving it for later after dinner or watching TV.

As to how long to leave it before booking with ££ - that's up to you and how comfortable you feel about waiting.

From experience, the earlier in July you can travel, the more likely it is you'll be able to get reward flights.

Two years in a row I've got 3 reward flights to BGI, usually travelling on around 7-10 July outbound...

For a month though, you might struggle with return leg as a reward, as it all "hots up" around 20-25 July...

Just keep checking is the best advice - as always!